Partly extendable and retractable tent

ABSTRACT

A tent includes a fixed first frame unit having a fixed length in a direction, and an extendable and retractable second frame unit having a connecting end connected to one end of the first frame unit, and a free end opposite to the connecting end in the direction and movable relative to the first frame unit in the direction between an extended position and a retracted position such that the second frame unit has a variable length in the direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a tent, more particularly to a partly extendable and retractable tent.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional tent includes a fixed frame structure, and a covering mounted on the frame structure and cooperating with the frame structure to define a fixed accommodating space. As such, the conventional tent cannot accommodate an article having a size larger than the fixed accommodating space, thereby lacking flexibility during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a partly extendable and retractable tent that can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a tent comprises:

a fixed first frame unit having a fixed length in a direction; and

an extendable and retractable second frame unit having a connecting end connected to one end of the first frame unit, and a free end opposite to the connecting end in the direction and movable relative to the first frame unit in the direction between an extended position and a retracted position such that the second frame unit has a variable length in the direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of a tent according to the present invention, wherein a second frame unit of the preferred embodiment is in a retracted state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment when the second fame unit is in an extended state;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic side view showing a first link member of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic top view showing a second link member of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of a tent according to the present invention is shown to include a fixed first frame unit 1, an extendable and retractable second frame unit 2, and a waterproof covering 3.

The first frame unit 1 has a fixed length in a direction (A). In this embodiment, the first frame unit 1 includes three arched frame bodies 13 spaced apart from each other in the direction (A), and two link members each interconnecting fixedly corresponding two adjacent ones of the arch frame bodies 13. Each link member includes three hollow rods 16 and two length-adjustable auxiliary support pieces 18. Each hollow rod 16 has opposite ends connected fixedly and respectively to the corresponding two adjacent ones of the arch frame bodies 13. Each auxiliary support piece 18 interconnects the corresponding two adjacent ones of the arched frame bodies 13, and is disposed between corresponding two adjacent ones of the hollow rods 16.

The second frame unit 2 has a connecting end connected to one end of the first frame unit 1 (i.e., the leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 in FIG. 2), and a free end opposite to the connecting end in the direction (A) and movable relative to the first frame unit 1 in the direction (A) between an extended position (see FIG. 2) and a retracted position (see FIG. 1) such that the second frame unit 2 has a variable length in the direction (A). In this embodiment, the second frame unit 2 includes three arched frame bodies 23 spaced apart from each other and movable in the direction (A), and three link units, each of the leftist two of which interconnects corresponding two adjacent ones of the arched frame bodies 23 and the other one of which interconnects the rightmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 of the first frame unit 1. The leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 23 serves as the free end of the second frame unit 2.

In this embodiment, each arched frame body 23 has opposite lateral rods 232, and an arched top rod 233 that interconnects integrally upper ends of the lateral rods 232. Each arched frame body 23 is provided with two pivot sleeves 231 that are sleeved movably and respectively on the lateral rods 232 thereof. It is noted that the leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 is also provided with two pivot sleeves 231 on opposite lateral sides thereof.

Referring further to FIGS. 3 and 4, each link unit of the second frame unit 2 includes two extendable and retractable first link members 26 each including two link rods 261 that are connected pivotally to each other at middle portions thereof and that have first ends 2611, and second ends 2612 opposite respectively to the first ends 2611, and two extendable and retractable second link members 25 each including two link rods 251 that have first end portions 252 connected pivotally to each other, and second end portions 253 opposite respectively to the first end portions 252. For each of the leftist two of the link units, the first ends 2611 of the link rods 26 of each first link member 26 are connected pivotally and respectively to corresponding lateral rods 232 of the corresponding two adjacent ones of the arched frame bodies 23, whereas the second ends 2612 of the same are connected pivotally and respectively to the pivot sleeves 231 on the corresponding lateral rods 232 of the corresponding two adjacent ones of the arched frame bodies 23, as shown in FIG. 3. The second end portions 253 of the link rods 251 of each second link member 25 are connected pivotally and respectively to the top rods 233 of the corresponding two adjacent ones of the arched frame bodies 23. As shown in FIG. 2, for the other one of the link units, the first ends 2611 of the link rods 26 of each first link member 26 are connected pivotally and respectively to a corresponding lateral rod 232 of the rightmost one of the arched frame bodies 23 of the second frame unit 2 and the leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 of the first frame unit 1, whereas the second ends 2612 of the same are connected pivotally and respectively to the pivot sleeves 231 on the rightmost one of the arched frame bodies 23 of the second frame unit 2 and the leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 of the first frame unit 1; and the second end portions 253 of the link rods 251 of each second link member 25 are connected pivotally and respectively to the top rod 233 of the rightmost one of the arched frame bodies 23 of the second frame unit 2 and the leftmost one of the arched frame bodies 13 of the first frame unit 1, whereas the first end portions 252 of the link rods 251 of each second link member 25 are respectively formed with an engaging notch 254 and an engaging pin 255 that engage each other when the free end is disposed at the extended position, as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, in the rightmost one of the link units, the first ends 2611 of corresponding link rods 261 of the first link members 26 and the second end portions 253 of corresponding link rods 251 of the second link members 25 constitute the connecting end of the second frame unit 2.

The waterproof covering 3 has a first covering portion 31 mounted tensively on the first frame unit 1, and a second covering portion 32 connected integrally to the first covering portion 31 and mounted foldably on the second frame unit 2.

In such a configuration, when the tent of this invention acts as a parking tent, the second frame unit 2 can be adjusted such that the tent permits a single vehicle to park when the free end of the second frame unit 2 is disposed at the retracted position (see FIG. 1) and also permits more vehicles to park when the free end of the second frame unit 2 is disposed at the extended position (see FIG. 2), thereby increasing flexibility during use.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements 

1. A tent comprising: a fixed first frame unit having a fixed length in a direction; and an extendable and retractable second frame unit having a connecting end connected to one end of said first frame unit, and a free end opposite to said connecting end in the direction and movable relative to said first frame unit in the direction between an extended position and a retracted position such that said second frame unit has a variable length in the direction.
 2. The tent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a waterproof covering that has a first covering portion mounted tensively on said first frame unit, and a second covering portion connected to said first covering portion and mounted foldably on said second frame unit.
 3. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second frame unit includes a plurality of arched frame bodies spaced apart from each other and movable in the direction, and a plurality of extendable and retractable link members each interconnecting corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies.
 4. The tent as claimed in claim 3, wherein: each of said arched frame bodies of said second frame unit is provided with a pivot sleeve that is sleeved movably thereon; and each of said link members of said second frame unit includes two link rods connected pivotally to each other at middle portions thereof and having first ends connected pivotally and respectively to the corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies, and second ends opposite respectively to said first ends and connected pivotally and respectively to said pivot sleeves on the corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies.
 5. The tent as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said link members includes two link rods having first end portions that are connected pivotally to each other, and second end portions opposite respectively to said first end portions and connected pivotally and respectively to the corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies, said first end portions of said link rods of each of said link members being respectively formed with an engaging notch and an engaging pin that engage each other when said free end of said second frame unit is disposed at the extended position.
 6. The tent as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second frame unit further includes a plurality of wheels each mounted on a bottom side of a corresponding one of said arched frame bodies.
 7. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first frame unit includes a plurality of arched frame bodies spaced apart from each other in the direction, and a plurality of link members each interconnecting fixedly corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies.
 8. The tent as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said link members of said first frame unit includes a hollow rod having opposite ends that are connected fixedly and respectively to the corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies.
 9. The tent as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said link members of said first frame unit further includes a length-adjustable auxiliary support piece interconnecting the corresponding two adjacent ones of said arched frame bodies. 